The Giants aren’t in any danger of falling out of first place in the NFC East, but Pittsburgh can maintain its pace in the AFC North.

These teams are in two different positions right now. New York is red hot—taking advantage of a very inconsistent division while it’s at it. Pittsburgh is playing much better as of late and could catch Baltimore should the Ravens falter against the Browns on Sunday.

Either way, these are two proud franchises. Expect both teams to bring it on Sunday, as two playoff contenders usually do.

Roethlisberger is playing extremely well this season, and he should have no trouble handling New York’s secondary.

Stevie Brown’s five interceptions could give Big Ben problems, but don’t expect it to make a difference. New York definitely has its strengths, but its 26th-ranked pass defense isn’t one of them.

Roethlisberger has plenty of weapons to work with, and he’s not turning the ball over this year. Expect the normal rash of screen passes, but Mike Wallace should be able to get free for a deep ball or two as well.

Expect a big day from Pittsburgh’s passing attack whether it wins or loses.

Sit 'Em: Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants

Bradshaw is listed on the injury report, but he’d be a shaky play even if he weren’t. Putting him against the Steelers’ ninth-ranked run defense is risky. Pittsburgh pins its ears back, and it will force Manning to win the game through the air.

The Giants have enjoyed a much-improved ground game this season, but this isn’t a week to go with it, fantasy owners. Sitting Bradshaw is necessary unless you have no other options due to bye-week nightmares.

Pittsburgh rarely struggles to stop the run, and this year is no different. Look for Manning to throw the ball 30 to 40 times, taking the pressure off of Bradshaw’s ailing body.

Sleeper: Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Three weeks ago, calling Dwyer anything but a bum would have been crazy. Now, with two straight 100-plus-yard games under his belt, he’s an interesting play should he be able to go. Here is the latest from Chris Adamski of CBS Sports:

Dwyer has 229 rushing yards and has had consecutive 100-yard games -- the first time that's happened since Willie Parker in 2008. But he emerged from Sunday's 27-12 victory against Washington with a right quad strain.

'He is tentatively scheduled not to practice [Wednesday],' Tomlin said. 'He is being evaluated. Hopefully, Thursday will be a practice day for him.'

The Giants allow 113 rushing yards per game. It’s not like he’s facing a run-defending juggernaut. Pittsburgh will try to offset the Giants’ pass rush by giving him carries early, allowing him to wear down the Giants defensive line with his bulky frame.

This bodes well for fantasy owners. If you have him stashed on your bench normally, this might be a good week to start him. He’s proved himself capable of carrying a heavy workload in the past two weeks, and the Giants are vulnerable in this area.

What They Are Saying

Ben Roethlisberger had this to say to ESPN New York’s Kieran Darcy concerning the Giants defense:

They've got a crazy amount of turnovers, interceptions. I think that (credit) usually goes to the back end, the guys intercepting it, the DBs and stuff. But I think you have to give a lot of credit, and we're gonna give a lot of attention to, the front four -- and really the front six or seven that they rotate in and linebackers -- because they're the ones that create a lot of those turnovers with pressure on the quarterback.

In light of Hurricane Sandy, Bloomberg News’ Eben Novy-Williams reports that “New Jersey Transit may not run the train that brings 10,000 people to MetLife Stadium when the New York Giants host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 4 as it continues to assess damage from Hurricane Sandy.”

The game is still on, but attendance could be affected. Thankfully, things are not any worse than they already are.

Steelers Player to Watch: Will Allen, S

With Ryan Clark’s status in question and Troy Polamalu out, the Steelers need someone to step up at safety.

Enter veteran Will Allen. He’s played well so far this season, and he will be charged with quarterbacking the defensive backfield against Victor Cruz and Co.

Pittsburgh’s pass defense hasn’t taken a step back, even without Polamalu, but that could change at any time. New York has the weapons and the quarterback to make that change happen.

Allen isn’t ever going to be Polamalu, but he’s a smart player who plays sound in run support and pass coverage.

Giants Player to Watch: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE

Pierre-Paul is a physical specimen, and he can single-handedly demolish an offensive line. With 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a defensive touchdown, the dynamic defensive end has made his mark already this season.

If you’re looking for someone who can hit Ben Roethlisberger and actually bring him down, this is your guy. He’s strong enough, fast enough and mean enough to do the job.

The Giants need a defensive difference-maker, and this is the guy. Pressuring Big Ben will play a major role in determining the outcome of this one.